JP2005284951A - Information processor, method thereof, job management system, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently manage jobs, and relieve burden on a manager and a user when a job account system is introduced. <P>SOLUTION: An information processor is constituted as follows. A client computer 1010, a base server computer 1030, and printers 1040, 1060 are arranged in a network. In the network, a job account client application 1014, which is installed in the client computer 1010 without a job account port monitor 1016, confirms the printer (printer driver), which is installed in the client computer 1010, and determines the printer driver where a port monitor change processing is not performed among all the installed printer drivers. When the port monitor of the output destination of the determined printer driver is a "Standard TCP/IP" or "LPR", change is performed into the port monitor unique to the job account system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a job management system, a program, and a storage medium that perform a job account when a peripheral device on a network is used by a user via a client computer or the like.

  Conventionally, peripheral devices such as printers (printing apparatuses), scanners, and copiers connected to a network have been used at the user's discretion. Therefore, even if the administrator (operator) of the peripheral device or the network can predict the outline of the usage status of the user who uses each peripheral device, what purpose each peripheral device is used for, or It is difficult to grasp and manage what kind of processing each peripheral device performs.

  In addition, when it is possible to set a limit on the use of peripheral devices by the user, the administrator grasps the usage status of the peripheral device, calculates the limit according to the usage status, and gives the limit to the user. I was informed, but it was a burden for the administrator. Therefore, in order to solve these problems, a job account system that performs a job account for the use of peripheral devices has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This job account system is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 16, a conventional job account system includes client computers 1410 and 1420 and a base server computer 1430 that are information processing apparatuses, a printer 1440 having a job history holding function for holding a job history (printing history), and a printer. The MFP includes a multi function printer (MFP) 1450 having a function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a job history holding function, and a printer 1460 not having a job history holding function.

  In the client computer 1410, when an application 1411 for creating a document calls a GDI (Graphics device Interface) 1412 that is a drawing engine of an operation system (hereinafter simply referred to as “OS”), the GDI 1412 receives an instruction from the application 1411. In response, print data is generated using a printer driver (not shown), and the print data is transmitted to the spooler 1413.

  The job account client application 1414 is a software module installed to perform a job account, monitors (hooks) a call (print request) of the GDI 1412 by the application 1411, and stores job information of a print job including print data. To do. The job information includes the number of printed sheets, the number of pages, the print size, the type of paper to be used, information about single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and Nin1 print information (information indicating whether to print N pages of information on one side of the paper). Etc. are included. Then, the job account client application 1414 periodically transmits the accumulated job information to the job account server application 1431 in the base server computer 1430.

  On the other hand, in the client computer 1420, the job account client application 1424 periodically monitors the spooler 1423. At this time, if there is a print job spooled in the spooler 1423, the job account client application 1424 acquires job information of the print job using an API (Application Program Interface). Then, the job account client application 1424 transmits job information acquired by periodically monitoring the spooler 1423 to the job account server application 1431 in the base server computer 1430.

As described above, in the conventional job account system, when the job information such as the number of printed sheets and the paper size is acquired in the client computer, the job account client application 1412 acquires the job information by hooking the GDI 1412 call by the application 1411. Or monitor logical printers on Windows (registered trademark), issue “Win32API GetJob” periodically between the time of print job submission and deletion, and acquire job information by referring to the acquired information It was. Therefore, in the conventional job account system, the CPU usage time and resources in the client computer are inadvertently wasted, and the load on the client computer may be increased.
JP 2001-282475 A

  In order to solve the problems of the conventional job account system, a method using a port monitor unique to the job account system can be considered. This is because, for example, when a print account is transmitted to a peripheral device by setting a port monitor unique to the job account system as a printer driver output destination port monitor in the client computer, the job account system unique The port monitor is activated, and this port monitor notifies the job account client application of job information of the print job. By using such a mechanism, it is not necessary for the job account client application to hook the GDI call by the application or to monitor the spooler periodically.

  However, in an existing client computer, the printer driver and the port monitor are already set by the OS, so that the user needs to change the output destination of the printer driver to a port monitor unique to the job account system.

  In recent printing systems, since a large number of shared printers are used on a network by a plurality of client computers, a plurality of printer drivers are currently installed on each client computer. Therefore, when a new job account system is installed, the port monitor for each output destination of multiple printer drivers installed on each client computer is set to a port unique to the job account system for users of multiple client computers to be managed. Changing to the monitor is a very troublesome work for the administrator and user of the job account system, and is a major adverse effect on the introduction of the job account system.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and reduces the burden on an administrator and a user when a job account system is introduced, and enables an information processing apparatus and method that can efficiently perform job management, and a job It is an object to provide a management system, a program, and a storage medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a device driver for generating an output job is incorporated, and the output job is set in advance as a destination port of the device driver between peripheral devices. In the information processing apparatus for outputting via the first port monitor means, the output job generated by the device driver is received, the output job is output to the peripheral device, and the job information of the output job is displayed. A second port monitor means for controlling to collect, and a system for acquiring the job information by using the second port monitor means, the output port of the device driver is set to the first port monitor. And changing means for changing from the means to the second port monitor means.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing method according to claim 7, wherein a device driver for generating an output job is incorporated, and the output job is set in advance as a port of an output destination of the device driver between peripheral devices. In the information processing method of the information processing apparatus for outputting via the first port monitor, the output job generated by the device driver is received using the second port monitor and the output job is sent to the peripheral A mediation collection step for outputting job information and collecting job information of the output job, and a system for acquiring the job information using the second port monitor to mediate and collect the job information Sometimes, the output port of the device driver is changed from the first port monitor to the second port monitor. And having a changing step of.

  In order to achieve the above object, the job management system according to claim 13 includes a device driver that generates an output job, and the output job generated by the device driver is preset as an output destination port of the device driver. In a job management system comprising: an information processing device that outputs to a peripheral device via a first port monitor means; and a job management device that acquires and manages job information of the output job from the information processing device. An information processing apparatus that receives the output job generated by the device driver, outputs the output job to the peripheral device, and controls to collect job information of the output job; and When constructing a system that acquires the job information using the second port monitor means , And having a changing means for changing the port of destination of the device driver from the first port monitor means to the second port monitor means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the program according to claim 14 includes a device driver for generating an output job, and the output job is set in advance as a port of an output destination of the device driver between peripheral devices. In a program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method of an information processing apparatus that outputs via a first port monitor, an output job generated by the device driver is received and output using the second port monitor The mediation collection module that outputs a job to the peripheral device and collects job information of the output job, and acquires the job information using the second port monitor to mediate and collect the job information. When the system is constructed, the output port of the device driver is set to the first port. And having a changing module for changing the second port monitor from Tomonita.

  According to the present invention, when a system for acquiring job information of an output job using a second port monitor that receives an output job generated by the device driver and outputs the output job to a peripheral device is output. Since the first port monitor set in advance as the second port monitor is changed to the second port monitor, the user or administrator who uses the information processing apparatus does not manually change the port monitor of the device driver. It is possible to efficiently introduce a job account system for managing the job.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a job account system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the job account system (job management system) includes client computers 1010 and 1020 which are information processing apparatuses, a base server computer 1030 (job management apparatus), and a job for holding a print history (job history). A printer 1040 having a history holding function, an MFP (Multi Function Printer) 1050 having a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a job history holding function, and a printer 1060 not having a job history holding function.

  The client computers 1010 and 1020 and the base server computer 1030 that are information processing apparatuses, and the printers 1040 and 1060 and the MFP 1050 that are peripheral devices are connected via a network 1080 and can communicate with each other. Further, they can communicate with other devices (not shown) connected to the network 1080.

  The client computer 1010 includes, as software configurations, an application 1011 for creating a document, a GDI (Graphics device Interface) 1012 that is a drawing engine of an operation system (hereinafter simply referred to as “OS”), a spooler 1013, a job An account client application 1014, a printer driver 1015 (device driver), a port monitor (first port monitor (not shown)) set in advance as an output destination port of the printer driver 1015, and a port monitor unique to the job account system A job account port monitor 1016 (second port monitor).

  In the client computer 1010, the application 1011 calls the GDI 1012, and the application 1011 outputs a drawing function (GDI function: Graphic Device Interface) to the GDI 1012. The GDI 1012 converts the GDI function into a drawing function (DDI function: Device Driver Interface) that can be interpreted by the printer driver 1015 according to an instruction from the application 1011, and outputs it to the printer driver 1015.

  Based on the DDI function received from the GDI 1012, the printer driver 1015 generates print data to be printed by the output destination printer, instructs the output destination port monitor of the print data, and transmits the print data to the spooler 1013. To do. When the print data is spooled in the spooler 1013, the job account port monitor 1016 set as the output destination port of the printer driver 1015 mediates the print data output job generated by the printer driver 1015 to the peripheral device. The output is further controlled to collect job information of the output job. Specifically, the job account port monitor 1016 notifies the job account client application 1014 that the print data has been spooled in the spooler 1013. Here, if the job account client application 1014 is not activated, activation is prompted.

  Upon receiving the notification from the job account port monitor 1016, the job account client application 1014 requests job information of a print job (output job) from the OS using an API (Application Program Interface), and acquires the job information. The job information includes the number of printed sheets, the number of pages, the print size, the type of paper to be used, information about whether single-sided printing or double-sided printing, Nin1 print information (information indicating whether to print N page information on one side of the paper) ), Information about the user who issued the print request (user information), information about color printing (color information), information on the name of the document to be printed (document name), and the like.

  The job account port monitor 1016 communicates with peripheral devices (printers 1040, 1060, MFP 1050) via the network 1080, and transmits print data if the peripheral device to which print data is output is in a standby state. The job account client application 1014 transmits the acquired job information to the job account server application 1031 in the base server computer 1030.

  The client computer 1020 includes an application 1021, a GDI 1022, a spooler 1023, a printer driver 1025 (device driver), and a port monitor (first port monitor (not shown)) set in advance as an output destination port of the printer driver 1025. And a job account port monitor 1026 (second port monitor) which is a port monitor unique to the job account system. The application 1021, GDI 1022, spooler 1023, printer driver 1025, and job account port monitor 1026 have the same functions as the application 1010, GDI 1012, spooler 1013, printer driver 1015, and job account port monitor 1016 described above, respectively. Note that a plurality of printer drivers 1015 and 1025 may be provided depending on the number of peripheral devices connected to the network 1080.

  The base server computer 1030 is a job account server that performs a job account when a peripheral device such as a printer 1040 or MFP 1050 connected to the network 1080 is used by a user via the client computer 1010 or the like. The base server computer 1030 includes a job account server application 1031 as a software configuration.

  The job account server application 1031 includes a user information management module 1031a, a device information management module 1031b, a job information management module 1031c, and a usage status management module 1031d.

  The user information management module 1031a stores and manages user information in a storage device (not shown) in the base server computer 1030. The user information is information that identifies (identifies) a user who uses the peripheral device. For example, the computer login name of the user who uses the peripheral device (name that the user inputs to log in to the computer) or the network login name. (Name that the user enters to log into the network system).

  The device information management module 1031b investigates whether or not a peripheral device connected to the network 1080 has a job history holding function, and obtains device information of the peripheral device or other devices having the job history holding function. It is stored and managed in a storage device (not shown) in the base server computer 1030. The device information includes, for example, the printing speed of the peripheral device, color information, a network address, and the like.

  The job information management module 1031c receives job information from the job account client applications 1014 and 1024 and stores it in the D / B 1090 as a job history database to be described later. Also, the job information management module 1031c requests job history information (job information) from a peripheral device (for example, the printer 1040) having a job history holding function, and receives job information from the peripheral device via the usage status input / output module 1031d. Receive. A series of processes for requesting and receiving job information from such a peripheral device is not limited to once, and may be performed periodically. Further, when the storage capacity of the job history information storage unit (not shown) of the peripheral device is reduced, this is notified to the utilization status input / output module 1031d, and the above processing may be performed at that time.

  The usage status input / output module 1031d acquires the usage status information of the peripheral device including the job history (job information) from the peripheral device having the job history holding function. The usage status input / output module 1031d can print out a usage status report (a report indicating how many users have executed a job) based on the acquired information on a peripheral device or display it on a monitor.

  The administrator (operator) of the job account system in FIG. 1 can use the usage status input / output module 1031d to output a usage status report and obtain the usage status of the peripheral device. That is, the usage status input / output module 1031d outputs various usage status reports based on user information, device information, and job information stored in a storage device (not shown). The administrator can specify the output format (output format) for the usage status input / output module 1031d.

  This usage status report is displayed on, for example, a display device (not shown) of the base server computer 1030, but the output data of the report is transmitted to the client computers 1010 and 1020, and the contents thereof are stored in the client computers 1010 and 1020. You may make it display on a display apparatus (not shown).

  In the usage status report, the usage amount (the number of sheets used for output and the toner amount) for each user and the usage time of peripheral devices are output. In addition, the usage status is output for each operation mode (function) of the peripheral device such as color printing or duplex printing, and the usage status is output for the size of the used paper or the type of the used paper. Further, since the usage fee of the peripheral device is set in the device information, the usage amount is output for each peripheral device or for each user.

  In addition, the usage fee for each operation mode, the usage fee for each paper size, and the usage fee for each paper type are set in the device information, so which user, which paper, which operation mode, which peripheral device. Then, how much printing is done and how much money is spent is output.

  The administrator can set usage restrictions for each function, each user, each user department, and each device used, via the user information management module 1031a and the device information management module 1031b. The limit information that can be set includes items such as a usage fee, the number of pages, and the number of sheets.

  The usage status input / output module 1031d monitors the set restriction (restriction information) and the print history information (job information), compares them, and outputs information to the effect that the use of the peripheral device exceeds the restriction. . The output to that effect may be displayed on a display device or may be output by mail or other communication means.

  The job information management module 1031c monitors the restrictions set for each user and the print history information (job information), compares them, and if the use of a specific user exceeds the restrictions, the client computer 1010 and the peripheral Let the device itself refuse to use the user. When the usage of a specific user exceeds the limit, the user may be urged to display a warning on the display device or to give a warning by mail or other communication means.

<Computer control configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of the client computers 1010 and 1020 and the base server computer 1030 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, client computers 1010 and 1020 and a base server computer 1030 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, and a KBC (Keyboard Control Unit) 204. A CRT (display control unit) 205, an HD (hard disk device) 206, a communication unit 207, and a system bus 208.

  The CPU 201 performs control of the entire apparatus, arithmetic processing, and the like. The ROM 202 has a storage area in which information about the system startup program is stored. The RAM 203 has a data storage area with no usage restrictions.

  The KBC 204 receives input data by key input from a keyboard (not shown) attached to the apparatus, and transmits the input data to the CPU 201. The CRT 205 performs display control for a display device (not shown). The HD 206 stores an OS, application programs, device drivers (printer drivers), communication control programs, data, and the like. These programs and data are loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary and executed by the CPU 201.

  The HD 206 in the base server computer 1030 stores a program (job management program) for executing processing to be described later, user information, device information, and job information (job history database). The HD 206 may be an external storage device such as a removable disk device, SRAM (nonvolatile storage memory), or CD-ROM instead of the hard disk device.

  The communication unit 207 controls network communication. The communication unit 207 enables communication with other computers and peripheral devices connected to the network 1080. A system bus 208 connects the components such as the CPU 201 and the ROM 202 to exchange data. Although not shown, the client computer 1010 or the like has a pointing device such as a mouse as an operation unit.

<Memory map>
Next, a memory map (storage area) 300 for programs and related data stored in the above-described HD 206, removable disk device, CD-ROM, etc. is shown in FIG. 3, loaded from the HD 206 etc. into the RAM 203 and executed by the CPU 201. FIG. 4 shows a memory map 400 such as an application program that has become possible.

  In FIG. 3, the memory map 400 includes volume information 401, directory information 402, an application execution file 403 such as a job account client application 1014, a job account related data file 404, and the like.

  In FIG. 4, a memory map 300 includes a basic I / O program 301, an operating system 302, a job account client application 1014, a program 303 including a program for processing to be described later, related data 304, and the CPU 201 executing the program 303 and the like. The work area 305 is sometimes used.

<Control configuration of peripheral devices>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a basic hardware configuration of the peripheral device of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, printers 1040 and 1060 and MFP 1050 as peripheral devices include a controller unit 605, a peripheral device engine unit 606, a communication unit 607, and a system bus 608 as basic hardware configurations. The controller unit 605 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, and an HD 604, and controls the entire device.

  The CPU 601 performs control of the controller unit 605 and the entire peripheral device, arithmetic processing, and the like. The ROM 602 is a read-only memory and has a storage area for storing a system startup program and the like. The RAM 603 is a random access memory and has a data storage area. The HD 604 is a hard disk device, but can be replaced with other nonvolatile storage devices such as SRAM.

  The printer 1040 and the MFP 1050 having the job history holding function store job history information in the RAM 603 or the HD 604. An operating system, a communication control program, and an engine unit control program are loaded into the RAM 603 and executed by the CPU 601.

  Specifically, the engine unit 606 includes a printer engine, a scanner engine, or both. Further, under the control of the controller unit 605, they perform a printing operation and an image reading operation. The communication unit 607 controls network communication. By this communication unit 607, the peripheral device can communicate with the client computer 1010 and the base server computer 1030. A system bus 608 connects components such as the CPU 601 and exchanges data.

<Job management processing>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the job information management module 1031c of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the job information management module 1031 c includes a job information reception unit 701, a job information registration unit 702, and a job history database 703.

  The job information receiving unit 701 receives job information from the job account client applications 1014 and 1024 and the printer 1040 and MFP 1050 having the job history holding function via the network 1080. The job information registration unit 702 registers the job information received by the job information reception unit 701 in the job history database 703.

  By referring to the data in the job history database 703, jobs (print jobs, copy jobs, fax jobs, etc.) of when, who, which peripherals, and how much (number of pages, number of paper discharged, paper type) Is determined, and a detailed job account is performed.

<Processing by application>
Next, processing of the job information registration unit 702 when registering job information received by the job information reception unit 701 in FIG. 6 in the job history database 703 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing job information registration processing by the job information registration unit 702 of FIG.

  In FIG. 7, first, the job information registration unit 702 determines whether or not unprocessed job information exists in the job information reception unit 701 (step S801). Here, when there is no unprocessed job information (NO in step S801), the present process ends. On the other hand, when there is unprocessed job information (YES in step S801), the job information registration unit 702 displays the job information. Job information is acquired from the information receiving unit 701 (step S802).

  In step S <b> 803, the job information registration unit 702 determines whether the acquired job information is a job with paper discharge. As a result of this determination, if the acquired job does not accompany paper discharge (NO in step S803), the process returns to step S801. On the other hand, if the acquired job is accompanied by paper discharge, the process proceeds to step S804. The processing from step S804 to step S807 is processing for registering job information in the job history database 703.

  First, in step S804, the job information registration unit 702 determines whether the job information is acquired by the job history holding function of the peripheral device. As a result of the determination, if the job information is obtained by the job history holding function of the peripheral device (YES in step S804), there is no possibility of duplicate registration of job information, so the process proceeds to step S807, where the job information is stored in the job Register in the history database 703 and return to step S801. Here, when registering job information, a search is made using the job ID to determine whether temporary job information (job history) has already been registered. If temporary job information has been registered, the temporary flag is set to OFF. Register the job information. On the other hand, when temporary job information is not registered, new job information is registered.

  If the job information is not acquired by the job history holding function of the peripheral device as a result of the determination in step S804 (NO in step S804), the job information registration unit 702 uses the job account client application 1014, 1024 to store the job information. It is determined whether or not it has been acquired (step S805). As a result of the determination, if the job information is acquired by the job account client application 1014, 1024 (YES in step S805), there is no possibility of duplicate registration of job information, so the process proceeds to step S807 to register job information. To do.

  On the other hand, if the job information is not acquired by the job account client application 1014, 1024 (NO in step S805), a temporary flag indicating that the job information is a temporary job history is set to ON (step S806). In step S807, job information is newly registered.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of job information registered in the job history database 703 of FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the job history database 703 includes items and contents of the items. Reference numeral 901 denotes an output device for job information, that is, which peripheral device has processed the acquired job information. In the case of job information that does not involve paper discharge, any one of a file name (document scanning), fax transmission, and other jobs that do not involve paper discharge is registered. . Reference numeral 902 denotes a job information acquisition method. Job information acquisition methods include acquisition by hook, acquisition from a spooler, acquisition from a job history holding function (device job history), and the like.

  Reference numeral 903 denotes the start time or end time of the job information. Reference numeral 904 denotes a type of discharged paper. Reference numeral 905 denotes the number of output pages. Reference numeral 906 denotes the number of discharged sheets. Reference numeral 907 denotes whether the job information has been input from the client computer 1010 or the like to the shared printer 1040 or the like. Reference numeral 908 denotes a user name of a job information issuer. Reference numeral 909 denotes a mode for identifying whether the job information is for color printing or monochrome printing. Reference numeral 910 denotes a printed document name. Reference numeral 911 denotes information for identifying single-sided printing or double-sided printing. Reference numeral 912 denotes Nin1 information for identifying how many pages of information are to be printed on one page. A temporary flag 913 indicates whether the job information is a temporary history (temporary flag is ON) or a final history (OFF).

<Flow of port monitor change processing>
Next, after the job account client application 1014 is installed in the client computer 1010 in which the job account port monitor 1016 is not set, which is a characteristic configuration of the present invention, the output destination port of the printer driver 1015 is executed. Processing for changing the monitor to the job account system port monitor 1016 unique to the job account system will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 shows the execution of a system for acquiring job information using the job account port monitor 1016, that is, after the job account client application 1014 and the job account port monitor 1016 are installed in the client computer 1010. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of changing the output destination port monitor of the device driver to be executed. In the following processing, the standard port monitor (first port monitor) for which the port monitor is to be changed is “Standard TCP / IP” or “LPR”, but this is not a limitation, and other port monitors are changed. You may make it a target.

  In FIG. 9, in step S1001, the job account client application 1014 and the job account port monitor 1016 are installed. Since the installation process of this software module is publicly known, the description thereof is omitted. Specifically, each module (not shown) of the job account client application 1014 and the job account port monitor 1016 is a predetermined folder on the OS. The OS registry is rewritten for program registration.

  In step S1002, the install module of the job account client application 1014 and the job account port monitor 1016 confirms printer information registered in the client computer 1010. Specifically, the job account client application 1014 receives a return value by issuing a well-known API “EnumPrinters” to the OS, and receives the printer driver name (printer name) already installed in the client computer 1010. ) To get.

  In addition, the job account client application 1014 obtains the setting of the port monitor of the output destination of the printer driver installed in the client computer 1010 by issuing a known API “EnumPorts”. At this time, if a plurality of printer drivers are installed, the setting of the port monitor of each printer driver is acquired.

  In step S1003, a dialog screen (not shown) is displayed on the display device by the CRT 205, and it is determined whether or not the silent mode is selected. That is, in the silent mode in which the port monitor change processing is automatically performed for each port monitor of all printer drivers installed in the client computer 1010, or for the printer driver installed in the client computer 1010. It is determined whether port monitor change processing is performed individually. If the silent mode is not selected as a result of this determination (NO in step S1003), a dialog screen for performing the port monitor changing process shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display device of the client computer 1010 in step S1004. .

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI for performing the port monitor change process of FIG.

  In FIG. 10, a list box 1000 includes a printer name 1001, a port name 1002, and a printer driver name 1003 of the printer driver currently installed in the client computer 1010. The check box arranged at the top of the printer name 1001 is individually checked, or after the “Select All” button 1004 is pressed and all the check boxes are selected, the “Replace” button 1005 is pressed. As a result, the change processing to the port monitor unique to the job account system is executed.

  Returning to FIG. 9, if the end of the dialog display (for example, 1006 in FIG. 10) is pressed in step S1005, the process ends. If not, in step S1006, the printer that changes the port monitor (step S1006). Printer driver) selection processing is performed. Here, as described above, an instruction from the user that the check boxes of the list box 1000 are individually checked or all the check boxes are selected by pressing the “Select All” 1004 button. Accept.

  Next, when the “Replace” button (conversion button) 1005 is pressed in step S1007 (YES in step S1007), in step S1008, the port monitor in the printer driver of the printer selected in step S1006. It is determined whether or not there is a printer driver that is not changed, that is, whether or not there is a printer driver to be changed. As a result of the determination, if there is no printer driver to be changed (NO in step S1008), the process returns to step S1005, whereas if there is a printer driver to be changed (YES in step S1008), the process proceeds to step S1009.

  In step S1009, it is determined whether the output destination port monitor of the printer driver to be changed is a predetermined port monitor that is used as standard, that is, whether it is “Standard TCP / IP” or “LPR”. Determine. This can be determined by checking the setting of the port monitor of the output destination of the printer driver acquired by issuing “EnumPorts” in step S1002.

  If it is determined in step S1009 that the type of port monitor is different from these port monitors (NO in step S1009), the port monitor shown in FIG. 11 is not changed on the display device in step S1010. A warning dialog 1101 is displayed, and the process returns to step S1008.

  On the other hand, if the output destination port monitor of the printer driver to be changed is “Standard TCP / IP” or “LPR” (YES in step S1009), in step S1011 a port monitor unique to the job account system (job account) Change processing to port monitor), and the process returns to step S1008.

  If the silent mode is selected in step S1003 (YES in step S1003), in step S1012, a printer for which port monitor change processing has not been performed among all printer drivers already installed in the client computer 1010. It is determined whether there is a driver, that is, whether there is a printer driver to be changed.

  If the result of determination in step S1012 is that there is no printer driver to be changed (NO in step S1012), this process ends. On the other hand, if there is a printer driver to be changed (YES in step S1012), in step S1013, whether the output destination port monitor of the printer driver to be changed is “Standard TCP / IP” or “LPR”. Determine whether or not. If it is determined that the port monitor is of a type different from these port monitors (NO in step S1013), a warning dialog 1101 indicating that the port monitor is not changed is displayed on the display device in step S1014. Return to step S1012.

  On the other hand, if the output destination port monitor of the printer driver to be changed is “Standard TCP / IP” or “LPR” (YES in step S1013), the job account system is changed to a port monitor unique to the job account system in step S1015. The process is executed, and the process returns to step S1012.

  According to the first embodiment, the job account client application 1014 installed in the client computer 1010 in which the job account port monitor 1016 is not set is connected to the printer (printer driver) installed in the client computer 1010. ) (Step S1002), the printer driver for which the port monitor change processing has not been performed among all the installed printer drivers is determined (step S1012), and the output destination of the determined printer driver is determined. When the port monitor is “Standard TCP / IP” or “LPR” (YES in step S1012), the job account system is changed to a job account port monitor unique to the job account system. When a job account system is introduced into a network that shares devices, a plurality of printer drivers installed in each client computer for the system administrator and each user of a plurality of client computers subject to job management It is possible to reduce the burden on the administrator and the user without changing the port monitor of each output destination to a port monitor unique to the job account system, and to efficiently introduce the job account system and to manage the job. Can be performed efficiently.

[Second Embodiment]
The configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 1 to 6) is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

<Flow of port monitor change processing>
In the second embodiment, the base server computer 1030 notifies the client computer 1010 to change the port monitor, and the client computer 1010 performs port monitoring performed in response to the notification from the base server computer 1030. The changing process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of user management information stored in the D / B 1090 in the base server computer 1030.

  In the job account system according to the present embodiment, the base server computer 1030, which is a job management apparatus, uses the user management information shown in FIG. 12 for each client computer user (for example, client user A, client user B,...). Manages the port monitor that is the output destination of the printer driver.

  In FIG. 12, the user management information is stored in the D / B 1090 and is managed for each user of the client computer. Reference numeral 1501 denotes a module version of the job account client application (JACA). Reference numeral 1502 denotes a printer name (printer driver name) registered in each client user, for example, the client computer 1010. Reference numeral 1503 denotes output destination port information set in the printer driver.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a notification process to the client computer 1010 executed by the base server computer 1030.

  In FIG. 13, in step S <b> 1101, the job account server application 1031 in the base server computer 1030 checks the port information of the client computer already registered in the base server computer 1030. Specifically, the job account server application 1031 refers to the user management information stored in the D / B 1090.

  Next, in step S1102, a dialog screen based on the user management information is displayed on the display device by the CRT 205 of the base server computer 1030, and selection of a client computer to be changed for the port monitor is accepted from the administrator of the base server computer 1030. .

  Subsequently, in step S1103, for example, when the client computer 1010 is selected in step S1102, the client computer 1010 is notified to change the port monitor. In step S1104, the user management information database is updated based on the information notified from the client computer 1010 in step S1107 of FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing port monitor change processing on the client computer side.

  In FIG. 14, in step 1103, the job account client application 1014 in the client computer 1010 determines whether there is a notification from the base server computer 1030. If there is no notification as a result of this determination (NO in step S1103), this determination process is repeated periodically. If there is a notification (YES in step S1103), the display device of the client computer 1010 is displayed in step S1104. Then, a dialog screen (not shown) for allowing the user to select whether or not to perform automatic port monitor change processing is displayed. When it is instructed not to perform the port monitor automatic change process from the displayed dialog screen (NO in step S1104), the present process ends, while when it is instructed to automatically change the port monitor. (YES in step S1104), the process proceeds to step S1105.

  In step S1105, the job account client application 1014 checks printer information already registered in the client computer 1010, as in step S1002 of FIG. Next, in step S1106, it is determined whether or not there is a printer driver that has not undergone port monitor change processing among all printer drivers already installed in the client computer 1010, that is, there is a printer driver to be changed. It is determined whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S1106 that there is a printer driver to be changed (YES in step S1106), in step S1108, the output destination port monitor of the printer driver to be changed is “Standard TCP / IP” or “ It is determined whether or not it is “LPR”. If it is determined that the port monitor is of a different type from these port monitors (NO in step S1108), a warning dialog 1101 not to change the port monitor described above is displayed on the display device in step S1109. Display, and the process returns to step S1106.

  On the other hand, if the output destination port monitor of the printer driver to be changed is “Standard TCP / IP” or “LPR” (YES in step S1108), the job account system is changed to a port monitor unique to the job account system in step S1110. The process is executed, and the process returns to step S1106.

  In step S1106, when all port monitor change processing of the printer driver to be changed is completed (NO in step S1106), the changed port monitor information is notified to the base server computer 1030 (step S1107). Exit.

  According to the second embodiment, the base server computer 1030 notifies the client computer 1010 selected by the administrator to change the port monitor (step S1103 in FIG. 13), and the client computer 1010 executes port monitor change processing in response to a notification from the base server computer 1030. Therefore, when installing a job account system in a network sharing a plurality of peripheral devices, the system administrator and job management targets It is possible to reduce the burden on each user of the plurality of client computers, and to efficiently introduce the job account system and upgrade the job account system.

  In the second embodiment, when the base server computer 1030 notifies the client computer 1010 to change the port monitor, the port monitor change process is performed on the client computer 1010 side. As described in the embodiment, after the job account client application 1014 is installed, the port monitor change process may be performed subsequently.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software (control program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a computer, and the computer or CPU reads the program codes stored in the storage medium. It can also be achieved by executing.

  As a method of supplying the program and data shown in FIG. 3 to a computer, as shown in FIG. 15, a program or the like is stored in a CD-ROM 500 and supplied to the computer main body 502 (via the CD-ROM drive 501). Is common. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  The storage medium for supplying the program code includes, for example, a removable disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, as well as a D-ROM and a hard disk. DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. A case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the processing is also included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a job account system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the basic hardware constitutions of the client computer of FIG. 1, and a base server computer. It is a figure which shows the memory map of the program and data which are memorize | stored in HD of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map of programs and data loaded in the RAM of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a basic hardware configuration of the peripheral device of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the job information management module of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the job information registration process by the job information registration part of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the job information registered into the job history database of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the change process of the port monitor in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of GUI for performing the port monitor change process of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of GUI displayed when performing a warning in the process of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the user management information stored in the database in a base server computer. It is a flowchart which shows the notification process to the client computer performed with a base server computer. It is a flowchart which shows the change process of the port monitor in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to supply the program and data shown in FIG. 4 to a computer. It is a system configuration diagram of a conventional job account system.

Explanation of symbols

1010, 1020 Client computer 1011, 1021 Application 1012, 1022 GDI
1013, 1023 Spooler 1014, 1024 Job account client application 1015, 1025 Printer driver 1016, 1026 Job account port monitor 1030 Base server computer 1031 Job account server application 1040, 1060 Printer 1050 MFP
1090 D / B

Claims (20)

In an information processing apparatus in which a device driver for generating an output job is incorporated, and the output job is output via a first port monitor means that is set in advance as a port of an output destination of the device driver between peripheral devices ,
A second port monitor means for receiving an output job generated by the device driver, outputting the output job to the peripheral device, and controlling to collect job information of the output job;
Change of changing the output port of the device driver from the first port monitoring unit to the second port monitoring unit at the time of constructing a system for acquiring the job information using the second port monitoring unit And an information processing apparatus. The changing means is a determining means for determining an output destination port of a device driver of the peripheral device registered in the information processing apparatus;
The output destination port determined by the determination unit and the name of the device driver are displayed, and the device that desires to manage the job information by changing the output destination port from the displayed device driver names Selecting means for selecting a driver;
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an output destination port of the device driver selected by the selection unit is changed to the second port monitor unit.   A determination unit that determines whether the change by the change unit is performed based on a selection instruction from a user or automatically when the system that acquires the job information using the second port monitor unit is constructed; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The changing means determines whether or not the first port monitor means is a predetermined port monitor that is used as a standard when a system that acquires the job information using the second port monitor means is constructed. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the output port is changed to the second port monitor means when the port monitor is a predetermined port monitor, and a warning is displayed when the port monitor is not the predetermined port monitor. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above. The job information collecting means for collecting the job information via an API (Application Program Interface) and notifying the collected job information to another information processing apparatus;
5. The second port monitoring means controls to notify the job information collecting means when the output job is submitted, in order to collect the job information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device includes a printer, a copier, and a scanner. Information of an information processing apparatus in which a device driver for generating an output job is incorporated, and the output job is output to a peripheral device through a first port monitor that is preset as an output destination port of the device driver In the processing method,
An intermediary collection step of receiving an output job generated by the device driver using the second port monitor, outputting the output job to the peripheral device, and collecting job information of the output job;
In constructing a system for acquiring the job information using the second port monitor so as to mediate and collect the job information, the output port of the device driver is changed from the first port monitor to the first port information. And a change process for changing to the two port monitors. The changing step is a determining step of determining an output destination port of a device driver of the peripheral device registered in the information processing apparatus;
A display step of displaying the output destination port and the name of the device driver determined in the determination step, and a selection step of selecting a device driver for changing the output destination port from the displayed device driver names; Have
8. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein an output destination port of the device driver selected in the selection step is changed to the second port monitor.   A determination step of determining whether the change by the change step is to be performed based on a selection instruction from a user or automatically when the system for acquiring the job information using the second port monitor is constructed; 9. The information processing method according to claim 7, further comprising:   The changing step is a predetermined port monitor that is used as a standard in the information processing apparatus when the system for acquiring the job information using the second port monitor is constructed. The output port is changed to the second port monitor when it is a predetermined port monitor, and a warning is displayed when it is not the predetermined port monitor. The information processing method according to any one of 7 to 9. A job information collecting step of collecting the job information via an API (Application Program Interface) and notifying the collected job information to another information processing apparatus;
And a control module for controlling the second port monitor so as to notify the job information collection step when the output job is submitted to collect the job information. Item 11. The information processing method according to any one of Items 7 to 10.   The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein the peripheral device includes a printer, a copier, and a scanner. Information processing that includes a device driver that generates an output job, and that outputs the output job generated by the device driver to a peripheral device via first port monitor means that is preset as an output destination port of the device driver In a job management system having an apparatus and a job management apparatus that acquires and manages job information of the output job from the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus receives an output job generated by the device driver, outputs the output job to the peripheral device, and controls to collect job information of the output job;
Change of changing the output port of the device driver from the first port monitoring unit to the second port monitoring unit at the time of constructing a system for acquiring the job information using the second port monitoring unit And a job management system. Information of an information processing apparatus in which a device driver for generating an output job is incorporated, and the output job is output to a peripheral device through a first port monitor that is preset as an output destination port of the device driver In a program for causing a computer to execute a processing method,
An intermediary collection module that receives an output job generated by the device driver using the second port monitor, outputs the output job to the peripheral device, and collects job information of the output job;
When constructing a system for acquiring the job information using the second port monitor to mediate and collect the job information, the output port of the device driver is changed from the first port monitor to the first port information. And a change module for changing to two port monitors. The change module includes a determination module that determines an output destination port of a device driver of the peripheral device registered in the information processing apparatus;
Displays the output destination port determined by the determination module and the name of the device driver, and changes the output destination port from the displayed device driver name so as to manage the job information A selection module for selecting a device driver to be
15. The program according to claim 14, wherein an output destination port of the device driver selected by the selection module is changed to the second port monitor means.   A determination module for determining whether the change by the change module is to be performed based on a selection instruction from a user or automatically when the system for acquiring the job information using the second port monitor is constructed; 16. The program according to claim 14 or 15, characterized by comprising:   The change module is a predetermined port monitor that is used as a standard in the information processing apparatus when the system that acquires the job information using the second port monitor is constructed. The output port is changed to the second port monitor when it is a predetermined port monitor, and a warning is displayed when it is not the predetermined port monitor. The program according to any one of 14 to 16. A job information collection module for collecting job information of the output job via an API (Application Program Interface) and notifying the collected job information to another information processing apparatus;
And a control module for controlling the second port monitor so that the job information collection module notifies the job information when the output job is submitted to collect the job information. The program according to any one of 14 to 17.   The program according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the peripheral devices include a printer, a copier, and a scanner.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to any one of claims 14 to 18.

Images